All geoscience students need to understand the origins, environments and basic processes that produce igneous and metamorphic rocks. This concise textbook, written specifically for one-semester undergraduate courses, provides students with the key information they need to understand these processes. Topics are organized around the types of rocks to expect in a given tectonic environment, rather than around rock classifications: this is much more interesting and engaging for students, as it applies petrology to real geologic environments. This textbook includes over 250 illustrations and photos, and is supplemented by additional color photomicrographs made freely available online. Application boxes throughout the text encourage students to consider how petrology connects to wider aspects of geology, including economic geology, geologic hazards and geophysics. End-of-chapter exercises allow students to apply the concepts they have learnt and practice interpreting petrologic data.

Topics are focused around what suites of rock to expect in a given tectonic environment rather than rock classifications, engaging students by making the material more applicable to real geologic environments

Application boxes throughout the text encourage students to consider how petrology connects to wider aspects of geology including economic geology, geologic hazards and geophysics

Highly illustrated, the text is supported by over 250 illustrations and photos, including many additional color photomicrographs available online

End-of-chapter exercises provide the student with practice in applying the approaches presented and interpreting petrologic data

Reviews & endorsements

"An authoritative and contemporary petrology textbook ideal for today's undergraduate student … that distills the essence of igneous and metamorphic petrology."
Joshua Schwartz, California State University

"… a streamlined view of igneous and metamorphic petrology that is most appropriate for a one-semester undergraduate-level course."
Jeffrey M. Byrnes, Oklahoma State University

"… a soon to be very popular igneous and metamorphic petrology textbook, as it is truly written for the undergraduate geology major with just an introductory geology class and mineralogy as their background coursework … I look forward to adopting this book!"
Lawford Anderson, Boston University

"An introductory textbook that presents the basic principles of the subject matter in a simple and concise manner. Frost and Frost do a good job of linking igneous and metamorphic petrology to basic chemistry and major tectonic processes."
Aley K. El-Shazly, Marshall University

"… succeeds in its stated objective: to convey the essential petrologic information that is needed by all geoscientists … will provide students with a solid, clearly written, well-illustrated foundation for understanding igneous and metamorphic rocks. I look forward to using this text in my own undergraduate petrology class."
Calvin G. Barnes, Texas Tech University

"The volume is very well illustrated with abundant clear appropriate maps, figures, and photos; additional color photos are available online. This book should be very successful in meeting the authors' stated objective of providing a concise text for a one-semester undergraduate course; it will also be a valuable resource for geologic professionals."
M. E. McCallum, Choice

"… I can highly recommend this book as a well-organized presentation of the essentials of igneous and metamorphic petrology and their application in an up-to-date mix of modern geochemistry and plate tectonics."
American Mineralogist

Essentials of Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology

B. Ronald Frost, Carol D. Frost

General Resources

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Authors

B. Ronald Frost, University of WyomingB. Ronald Frost is Professor of Geology at the University of Wyoming, where he performs wide-ranging research on igneous and metamorphic petrology as well as ore deposits. He is the author of more than 110 scientific papers on topics ranging from serpentinization and the metamorphism of serpentinites, ocean floor metamorphism, granulites, thermobarometry, the geochemistry of granites, and melting of sulfide ore deposits. He has conducted extensive field research in the Precambrian basement of Wyoming, as well as in Siberia, Greenland, Northern Canada, and the Broken Hill area of Australia. He is the recipient of the Alexander von Humboldt Research Award from the German government. He has been an associate editor for the Journal of Metamorphic Geology and Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, and currently serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Petrology. He is a member of the American Geophysical Union, the Society of Economic Geologists and the Geochemical Society, and a Fellow of the Mineralogical Society of America. He has taught mineralogy, petrology, optical mineralogy and ore deposits for more than 35 years.

Carol D. Frost, University of WyomingCarol D. Frost is a Professor in the Department of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Wyoming. She investigates the origin and evolution of the continental crust, the provenance of clastic sedimentary rocks, and granite petrogenesis, and she applies isotope geology and geochemistry to environmental issues including water co-produced with hydrocarbons and geological sequestration of carbon dioxide. She is the author of more than 120 scientific papers. She is a Fellow of the Mineralogical Society of America and Science Editor for the Geological Society of America's journal, Geosphere. She was awarded the CASE Wyoming Professor of the Year award in 2001. In 2008 she received her university's highest faculty award, the George Duke Humphrey medal, recognizing teaching effectiveness, distinction in scholarly work, and distinguished service to the university and state. She has served in the administration of the University of Wyoming as Director of the School of Energy Resources, Associate Vice President for Research and Economic Development and Vice President for Special Projects, and she currently serves as Associate Provost.

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